“Not much intimidates you once you’ve been blown up.” A Nurse Recalls a 1998 Alabama Abortion Clinic Bombing
On the morning of January 29th, 1998, nurse Emily Lyons had just arrived to work at The New Woman All Women Health Care Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. It was one of the few clinics providing abortions in the state.
Emily Lyons received her BSN from The University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1977, focusing on reproductive health. Photo courtesy the Lyons family.
That day, terrorist Eric Rudolph set off a homemade bomb filled with nails and gravel, severely injuring Emily and killing the police officer working security that day. His name was Robert “Sande” Sanderson, and he was the first person to be killed in an abortion clinic bombing in the U.S.
Emily Lyons being rescued after the New Woman All Women Health Care Clinic was bombed by a terrorist in Birmingham, Alabama in 1998. Photo courtesy Jeff Lyons.
You can hear more from Emily and Jeff on the StoryCorps podcast, or in their self-published book.
TOP PHOTO: Emily and Jeff Lyons at their StoryCorps interview in Homewood, Alabama on June 7, 2024. By Boutwell Studios for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired November 15, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Fourth Graders for World Peace: A Teacher Recalls When His Students Schooled the Pentagon
In 1978, John Hunter—a public school teacher in Charlottesville, Virginia—decided to invent a game for his young students called the World Peace Game.
In the game, students are divided into made-up countries. They’re each given a specific role, such as Prime Minister or Secretary of the United Nations. Then, they’re tasked with solving real-world scenarios including war, climate change, even global pandemics.
Nearly half a century later, the game is renowned. It’s been taught to children worldwide, and, as it turns out, kids are pretty good at solving the planet’s most pressing problems.
Middle Photo: Irene Newman and John Hunter at their first StoryCorps interview in Charlottesville, Virginia on June 14, 2011. By Matt Herman for StoryCorps.
John came to StoryCorps with former student, Irene Newman, to remember the time his class was invited to the Pentagon to share their advice on world peace.
Top Photo: John Hunter and rising 6th grade students playing the World Peace Game in Lawrence Township, New Jersey in Summer, 2024.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired Oct 11, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
How a Pair of Roller Skates Helped One Woman Rediscover Joy
3When Susan Barrientos was just five years-old, her mom took her to the Starlight roller skating in the Houston suburbs. The rink offered one free class, so Susan learned the basics.
“Then that was it because she couldn’t afford the classes,” remembers Susan.
For Susan, the roller rink was the place to be. She and her friends would go every Friday night and skate along to Depeche Mode and The Smiths.
As an adult, Susan tried to get back into the sport. She bought herself a brand new pair of black roller skates, but her husband at the time criticized her for the purchase.
On Wednesday nights, Susan Barrientos would go skating with friends for hours and afterwards they’d all eat wings. Tampa, Florida, 2021.
Susan put her skates away, but over the next several years even as she and her family moved across the country, she held onto those skates.
Then, when she got divorced, she laced up her skates for the first time in years, and she didn’t fall.
Top Photo: Susan Barrientos and Illya Mehrzai at their StoryCorps interview in Houston, Texas on July 22, 2024. By Tamekia Jackson for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired August 16, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
“She’s probably the strongest woman you’ll ever meet.” Remembering the Mother of Women’s Judo
Women’s judo wasn’t allowed into the Olympics until 1988, after martial arts champion Rusty Kanokogi threatened to sue the International Olympic Committee for discrimination. This helped earn her the nickname, “the mother of women’s judo.”
Her daughter, Jean Kanokogi, remembers a physically powerful figure with a presence so imposing “You didn’t even have to turn around, because you felt that she was in that room.”
Eve Aronoff Trivella was coached by Rusty on the first U.S. women’s judo team at the 1988 games. At StoryCorps, she and Jean remembered what that competition meant to Rusty… and a pivotal moment from her early life that brought her there.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired July 19, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
How A Woman Found Herself – and Love – on the Dance Floor.
Ann Taylor and Sonja Furiya at their StoryCorps interview in St. Louis on September 24, 2014. By Emily Janssen for StoryCorps.
Having lived in St.Louis for 15 years, Ann Taylor was looking to meet new people. She received an email about a queer ballroom dancing class and decided to go.
Ann Taylor and Sonja Furiya at the World Out Games in Copenhagen in 2009. Courtesy of Sonja Furiya.
This led Ann to become something she never imagined, a dancer.
Ann came to StoryCorps with her wife Sonja Furiya to reflect on the day they met in that dance class in 2005.
Ann Taylor and Sonja Furiya at the World Out Games in Copenhagen in 2009. By Eve Gilstrap.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired June 28, 2023, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
After Losing Everything to a Wildfire, A Couple Rebuilds
Ron and Julie Lynam had long dreamed of retiring in the Colorado mountains. As high school teachers living in a college town, the couple saved and planned for years.
Finally, after looking at dozens of properties, they bought a small home surrounded by a pristine pine forest.
Ron and Julie Lynam’s home in the aftermath of the High Park fire in 2012. Courtesy of Ron Lynam.
Just a few weeks after moving into their new home, Julie awoke one Saturday morning to a disaster; one of the biggest fires in state history was barreling towards them.
Ron Lynam by the barn he built using burned timber salvaged from their property. By Zanna McKay for StoryCorps.
Top Photo: Julie and Ron Lynam at their home near Bellvue, Colorado on September 20, 2023. By Jo Corona for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired May 31, 2024 on NPR’s Morning Edition.
A Daughter Reflects on What Philadelphia’s Chinatown Meant to Her Mother.
In the 1960’s Deborah Wei’s parent’s left China for the United States and eventually settled in the suburbs of Philadelphia. . At StoryCorps, Deborah talks with her daughter Kaia Chau about how her mother navigated making a home, and what Philadelphia’s Chinatown meant to the family.
Deborah Wei’s mother with strawberries she grew in Philadelphia in 1981. Courtesy of Deborah Wei.
Top Photo: Deborah Wei with her mother and sister in Philadelphia in 1959. Courtesy of Deborah Wei.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired April 19, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
“Our Car Had Landed In The Water:” A Mother And Son Remember a Frightening Accident
StoryCorps conversations aren’t scripted, and even the participants can be surprised by what comes up when they get behind the mic.
That’s what happened when Karina Borgia-Lacroix brought her 10-year-old son, Levi, to the StoryCorps Mobile Booth in Fort Myers, Florida, and he asked about her favorite memory.
Karina Borgia-Lacroix and Levi Lacroix at JetBlue Park at Fenway South during spring training in Fort Myers, FL, in March of 2016. Courtesy of Karina Borgia-Lacroix.
Top Photo: Karina Borgia-Lacroix and Levi Lacroix at their StoryCorps interview in Fort Myers, FL on March 2, 2024. By Sara Barkouli for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired April 12, 2024, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Death Row Spiritual Advisors Find “Profound, Lived Love in Unlikely Places”
Reverend Lauren Bennett leads the Metropolitan Community Church in St. Louis, which primarily serves the LGBTQIA+ community.
Ministering to people in their final hours is an expected part of her role as pastor, but in 2023 she became only the second person in Missouri to do so in an execution room.
Lauren Bennett and Gerry Kleba at the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis in St. Louis, MO on January 28, 2024. Photo by Shelle Veres.
When Father Gerry Kleba received the same assignment, he turned to Bennett for advice.
Despite their differences, the two spiritual advisors formed a close bond.
They came to StoryCorps’ Mobile Booth in St. Louis to talk about their shared experience of finding love in unlikely places.
Top Photo: Gerry Kleba and Lauren Bennett at their StoryCorps interview in St. Louis, MO on October 2, 2023. By Franchesca Peña for StoryCorps.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired on March 29, 2024 on NPR’s Morning Edition.
They Know Suicide Too Well. But One Moment Brought Them Solace
Friends Qaiyaan Harcharek and Don Rearden grew up in small Alaskan towns hundreds of miles apart. But they both have experienced a great deal of tragedy: Alaska has some of the highest suicide rates in the nation, especially in its indigenous and rural communities.
They met as adults when Don visited Qaiyaan’s hometown Utqiagvik, the northernmost town in the U.S. They bonded over their love of Alaskan culture and wilderness — And their grief. At StoryCorps, they remembered a moment in their friendship that brought them even closer.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
This broadcast is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Originally aired March 15, 2024 on NPR’s Morning Edition.